QUEEN'S RESOLVE, Deep Space.

Queen Radia wiped her forehead and face with a towel as she strode across the bridge. Her lean body was compressed into a tight-fitting ebony jump suit that had seen better days. It was covered with small tatters and tears. Blocky katchin weights clung to her ankles and wrists, clinking and clanking with each step. Nearly all of her muscle groups burned with pain, but she was used to that. The suffering of a good workout was solace for her. Meant she was getting stronger.

Deep within the bowels of the war cruiser, she could hear the thunder of her sister Gingera's training. The princess had refused to take a break. She was really dedicated to the regime, despite Radia's warnings that rest and recuperation were an important too. It was pointless to argue with her though, such was the ways of youth.

They had been on their little training get-away for almost a year at this point. The Queen's Resolve had finally gotten close to a Galactic Hypernet beacon so it could get a signal. Radia didn't feel the least bit excited about the sheer mountain of reports she would need to sift through. The Dominion was largely independent without her, or so she hoped. Her commanders had the power to make necessary decisions. In fact, she had set it up so that the only thing she needed to do was veto decisions she didn't like. Still, they referred to her as if she had some unseen wisdom. Even though most of them were far more experienced than she was.

Then again, she didn't unite the Saiyans so she could dote over them. No, she became their queen so she could be a shining example. They knew her as a Super Saiyan, as the most powerful iteration of thier race. She was someone to chase, someone to aspire to surpass. That was exactly what every Saiyan needed. They also needed a cause to unite them. Bringing peace and uniting the galaxy wasn't something that many Saiyans really cared for. The promise of a good fight much better tool to bring them together.

The Dominion had a galaxy and then an entire universe to conquer. Hell, if the legends were true--there were more universes beyond that. There would always be a good fight for any warrior in the Dominion. So the Saiyans flocked in droves to serve.

Plopping down in the seat usually reserved for a comm-officer, she flipped on the display. Data streamed in, appearing in front of her in a holographic web of information. There were thousands of reports from her subordinates. Most of them were mundane and she manevered around those. She focused on the ones marked urgent with the bright crimson icon. Her eyes went wide with surprise as she began to unfurl the news.

Commander Cumber dead, fleet destroyed by the Crusher Corp. Who the hell are the Crusher Corps?

Galactic King dead. Polaris named Emperor. First Galactic Empire born... I didn't see that one coming.

Kabocha under attack and Grand Regent Thragg captured. Looks like the Kabochan's finally found the will to fight back. 

Taro... dead. Killed by the new Emperor.

She paused at that one, mouth falling agape. Taro had been like a little brother to her. She had seen him grow as a warrior and take command. In fact, she had entrusted him with the future of the Dominion--with establishing her Queensguard. She had been so proud of how he embraced the Dominion and how he wanted it to flourish. His loss was a personal one. As with most Saiyans, she wasn't sure how to process the raw emotion that befell her. So, she shoved the pang of sorrow that crept into her throat back down. It didn't stop the single tear that rolled down her cheek. Frustrated, she brushed it away with a finger and continued on.

Frieza Force and PTO disbanded. Bankruptcy.

Of all the horrible news, that was a good one at least. She had predicted their collapse, but figured it would have taken longer. That meant there was a giant vacuum of power opened up in the East Quadrant. The Dominion needed to capitalize on that, before this new "Empire" did.

She read all she needed to. Reaching, she tapped a button on the panel to make an announcement over the loudspeaker. "Gingera, hit the showers. I got some bad news. We need to head back right away, sorry."

---

ROYAL PALACE, New Sadla.

The humidity of New Sadla was something that Radia could never forget. Even across all of her travels, on the many planets and moons she visited, never before had she experienced such an opressing heat. It was like walking through hot water rather than air. A dense mist rolled over the top of the tree canopy, laden clouds hanging low as they could without bursting into rain. As she descended the ramp and onto the black katchin-alloy battlements, she took in the jungle and its cacophony of sounds.

Home. She was happy to be back. Adjusting her battle armor and tightening her cape, she prepared for the procession of personnel that were making their way from the citadel.

Gingera didn't seem to share her enthusiasm. She didn't wear fighting armor, ever. Instead she was clad in an bright azure gi with a pair of sandals and fingerless gloves. She had spent most of her youth as a sports fighter. It was a bit of a statement of style for her, Radia imagined. On the other hand, Radia herself had spent countless years duking on the front lines in various wars across the galaxy. The life of a mercenary. Two very different experiences there.

Captain Quash led the procession. He was a sharp jaw Saiyan with long ebony hair tied in a top knot. His armor looked scuffed and worn from battle. Both of his brows were drawn into angry furrows. Radia detected a subtle shift of aggression in his aura. It matched the balling of both his fists.

He's mad.

With a roar Quash disappeared. Faster than the eye could blink, he materialized above Radia, dropping down with a savage punch. It would have it struck the top of her skull if not for Gingera's interference.

The young princess erupted with a shower golden light as she went Super Saiyan. Quash grunted as his wrist was turned with relative ease. Ki coalesced around Gingera's opposite index finger and she pointed a buzzing point into his face.

"Let him go," Radia said.

"This traitor just tried to hurt you. Why?" Gingera responded.

"Because," Radia said and shook her head. "If he wants to take his anger out on me, he is more than welcome to try. As the queen, it is my duty to hear the concerns of subjects. We Saiyans can often say more through battle than we can with or tongues. I won't let any of my subjets be silenced."

"That's stupid," Gingera said. She released Quash anyhow, and lowered her hand--the deadly ki withdrawn back into her body. The golden aura around her dissipated as she resumed her base form. She shoved her way through the awe-struck group and headed back to the citadel, like little bratty kid who didn't appreciate being scolded.

Quash stumbled, cleary deflated by her power. Radia saw in his expression shift from rage to bewilderment. Gingera had not been known as Super Saiyan before the Queen had left on their training voyage. Radia herself hated to flaunt her transformations, they were tools of war. One did not draw their blade and flash it around. But, Gingera was far more feisty and prideful. She had a strong feeling the teen would show off her power the first moment she got. And that feeling wasn't wrong.

The rest of the retainers and officers caught up. Their expressions were even more strained than the captain's.

"Y-You left us. Never even told us where you were going. Two Commanders, Cumber and Taro are dead. We've taken heavy losses. What kind of queen abandons her people?" Quash said.

Radia grabbed the captain by the collar and pulled him close, until they were nose to nose. "Am I your mother?"

"No."

She shoved him back. "I am the Queen of Saiyans! The greatest race, the one with unlimited potential. I shouldn't have to baby sit any of you. What if I died? Would the Dominion fall apart in my absence. It appears so."

She wrinkled her nose with disgust. Quash and the rest parted way as she strode past. Just as she was a few strides away, one of the lesser retainers spoke up.

"There's a visitor here, my Queen. He's waiting for you--been parked at the spaceport for days. We can't get him to leave."

Radia whipped back around, scowling at the warrior. "What do you mean he won't leave? You're telling me none of you can make him go?"

"My Queen," the retainer said. He followed with respectful bow. "The visitor is Lord Snow. He demands an audience with you, despite our refusals."